Rebounding!

Can you say Rebounding!

After a week of playing host to the virus, and isolating myself from most of the world, I was ready to be back in action. Thankfully, the virus hadn't kept me down (much) in the previous week, so resuming my fitness routine wasn't a big adjustment.

I can assure you, though, it felt awesome to be back on the "other side" of Covid.  

Before I share all the nitty gritty deets, welcome to the Weekly Run Down!

 I love hosting this link-up with Deborah (from Confessions of a Mother Runner)! If you write a fitness-based blog, you're invited to join the party. The link-up opens at 8:00AM (EST) on Sundays and remains open through noon on Monday. We love reading about everyone's weekly fitness endeavors, training highlights (or low lights) and race recaps. We ask that you link back to both hosts, and we encourage you to read/comment on the other linked blogs as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)

Anyways, here's what went down this week as I rebounded from the virus:

Not a very sunny Sunday, but it was heavy on the pedals.

Officially Day-7 of the virus, I was feeling completely back to normal, albeit some lingering nasal gunk. The temps were chilly, but not deal-breaking frigid. I got out for am ambitious 10-mile ride, but called it good at seven due to the unrelenting fog. It was early enough that there wasn't much for traffic, but biking in the fog isn't a wise option, especially when it's so thick.

Later, after the fog had left the scene, Barb texted me...asking if I was interested in a long bike ride. I had my gear on and helmet snapped in place within a few minutes. We didn't have much for sunshine, but we had clear vision and much more comfortable temps. We rode an out-and-back route, ending with 24 miles. Adding the morning's seven miles to the mix, I ended the day with just over 31 miles (on wheels) for the day. I also took a 3-mile walk after dinner. Not a bad start to the week! 

Never Miss a Monday: A 4-mile Tempo/Fartlek extravaganza!

How about testing the waters (a bit more) with some tempo surges and a bonus mile of Fartleks?  Another chilly morning (mid-50F's), I set out to do three miles at my threshold pace (9:30ish), each ending with a 1/4-mile tempo surge. The fourth mile featured five sets of Fartlek intervals. All went well! Later, I had a 2-mile walk for lunch before the rain hit. We didn't get much rain, but just enough to keep me inside after I logged off from work. No big deal.

 

Back to my Typical Tuesday routine.

I love keeping my Tuesdays pretty low-key (at least in terms of lower-body work). I sandwiched a Barre workout in between two arm workouts for my breakfast. The day also included a 1-mile walk for lunch and a 12-mile bike ride for dinner (with another 2-mile walk for dessert).

Double Workout Wednesday for the Win!

You know the Wednesday morning drill by now...wake-up at 4:30ish, and leave the house at 5:00 for the weekly #5at5 with Barb. Only, it had been a few weeks since we'd done a #5at5...and we had a LOT more early morning daylight then. What the WHAT??? Where did all that daylight go??? Thankfully, these five miles went well, and the temps still felt like summer, or it would have been a major buzzkill.

Later, after logging off from work, I met Amy for the weekly hilly bike path ride. We didn't meet last week (you know, #covid) so I'd ridden solo on Saturday. It was hot and not too breezy (for a change, LOL), so we could actually do some decent coasting on the down-hills. 15 miles later, and all was well with my world. The day also had three miles of walking (one mile at lunch, and two more after dinner).

Thankful Thursday: Holy Lower-Body Burn!

One of my favorite Peloton guys, Daniel, had us lunging, squatting, deadlifting, side-planking (with leg lifts) and split-squat-holding. Oh My Holy Ouch! Don't ask me how I didn't have any DOMS from this, but I was grateful (sorry for the spoiler). An hour later, I loaded up all my work gear and headed back to the office, where a huge pile of mail and paperwork was waiting for me (don't be jealous). I was happy to reunite with a couple of work friends for a 1-mile walk (morning break) and then a 2-mile walk (phone chatting) with a college friend after dinner.

  

Finally Friday: A Fasted-Cardio Friday 5K!

Call me crazy, but I was craving a little bit of fun come Friday morning. Nothing outrageously speedy, but a fun 5K kind of just happened on its own. I even spontaneously shot a quick (very quick!) 10-second reel for Insta (that kinda went viral in the first 60 minutes - 4500+ views...that's viral for me, LOL). Please excuse the cheesy smile, but it happens when a run feels that good.

Long Run Saturday!

Hard to believe it had already been three weeks (I think?) since I'd done an official long run on a Saturday. Time flies, huh. Anyways, I was thinking eight miles and Barb wasn't, LOL. So, we agreed upon a 6:30 meet-up, but I would start early and try to knock out a little distance beforehand. Well, best-laid plans...I didn't get my booty out of the house until 6:15, so I only had time for about 1.5 miles before meeting her. We took a different route, heading north on a county road for a couple miles. All was alright with that until we turned around and had a 12mph headwind to fight all the way back. Granted, the cool wind felt refreshing in the humid air, but ugh, it was a beast to fight (and I was strongly reconsidering my grandiose 8-mile plan). By the time we'd gotten back within city limits, though, we had a little more wind protection, so we pressed on. We parted ways when my Garmin showed about 7.5 miles. I looped around the college campus, and Barb took a detour en route back to her house...so both of us ended the morning with eight miles after all.

And, what's on deck for Sunday?

It's anybody's guess...the forecast is showing rain for the morning. I might try to sneak in a short recovery run or a walk (under an umbrella). I also might take a long bike ride in the afternoon if the rain doesn't leave too many puddles and/or the roads aren't too slick. We shall see...

So, as a rally-back week, I'm quite satisfied. Thankfully, the virus ordeal was minimal, especially after the first few days. The gunky sinus stuff is almost gone, as is my sexy nasalized voice. My energy returned pretty quickly (last week), so getting back to my usual routine went pretty smoothly this week. Running had a whopping 20 miles, which is the highest it's been in awhile. Walking tallied 15 miles. Biking granted me 58 miles. It felt good to get back to some lower-body work on Thursday and Tuesday's arms and shoulders workouts were legit. Of course, I'm still planking, leg-lifting and push-upping on the daily.

In case you missed out, here's what went down on the blog this week:

It Is What It Is

Favorite Summer Must-Haves

August's 'Fessions? Full Tilt!

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. I've mentioned, numerous times how much I love my denim jacket. I'm also a big fan of Aztec-print, hence this particular sundress. I don't think I've ever worn both of these together, though. Well, let's just say this won't be the last time that happens. There's just something about a fun denim jacket...it goes with everything, dressy or casual.

Did you know Friday was National Dog Day? Those of us who have sweet little canines, though, celebrate our sweet little fur babies on the daily...am I right? Anyways, I still felt it my obligation to share a cute pic of Max. Isn't he a little charmer?

Finally, if you can tolerate one more pic of my orchid....This is what happened Friday. All four blossoms are open on one stem, and two have opened on the other. I noticed these new blooms after I'd come home from the funeral visitation for my friend, Friday evening. Sigh. The past week has been emotionally draining, with  Angie's passing, and this flower has really brightened my days.

So, there you go! Another week of fitness, this time on the rebound, and all tied up with a pretty bow.

How did your last full week of August play out? Are you experiencing a slight change in the weather, with cooler mornings? Have you had Covid? If so, how did your recovery and rally-back go? 

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